James Chilton
~Oldest Passenger on The Mayflower~
James Chilton was born sometime around 1556 in England (probably Canterbury, Kent area), the son of Lyonell Chilton and his second wife.
James married around 1585, and had his first child (Isabella Chilton) baptized at St. Paul's, Canterbury, Kent, England on 15 January 1586/7.
An English/Leiden Separatist, better known as Pilgrim, he became one of the 102 passengers on the historic ship, the Mayflower in 1620. Also included on the passenger list with him were "his wife, and Mary, their daughter."
At about 64 years old, Chilton was probably the oldest passenger on the ship.Chilton's other two known surviving children, 21-year-old Ingle (Chilton) Nelson and married 33-year-old Isabella (Chilton) Chandler, remained behind in Leiden.
When the Mayflower Compact was drawn up on 11 November 1620, Chilton was one of the signers.
James Chilton died on December 8, 1620, while the Mayflower lay anchored in Provincetown Harbor. He evidently died of disease, as Bradford reported that he "dyed in the first infection"
Chilton's daughter Isabella came to Plymouth Colony around 1630, with her children and her husband, Roger Chandler.
How Are We Related?
Descendants of Joseph Watson & Agnes Colista (Palmer) Shaver are directly connected to James Chilton through Agnes Colista (Palmer) Shaver. James was her 7th great-grandfather through her paternal grandfather, Thomas Palmer. See the pedigree tree below for more information.
Pedigree Tree leading back to Francis Cooke:
Agnes Colista Palmer [1845 1931]->Cassius Palmer [1820 - 1908] m. Ruby Rosette Turner (parents)
-->Thomas Palmer [1779 - 1860] m. Sarah Ball (grandparents)
--->Susanna Cobb [1756 - 1840] m. Zurishaddai Palmer (great-grandparents)
---->Nathan Cobb [1728 - 1818] m. Abijan Tinkham (2nd great-grandparents)
----->John Cobb [1689 - 1750] m. Mary Conant (3rd great-grandparents)
------>Rachel Soule [1663 - 1727] m. John Cobb (4th great-grandparents)
------->Rebecca Simmons [1635 - 1677] m. John Soule (5th great-grandparents)
-------->Sarah Chandler [? - 1689] m. Moses Simmons (6th great-grandparents)
--------->Isabella Chilton [1586 - ?] m. Roger Chandler (7th great-grandparents)
---------->James Chilton [1556 - 1620] m. ? (8th great-grandparents)
Please note that dates are approximate.
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